| Subject: Thoughts on Authors |
Author:
Kirby Lambert
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Date Posted: 17:29:57 10/25/09 Sun
It seems of late that so many good authors (or at least one’s I like) are hanging up their pens/keyboards, either for good or for the foreseeable future.
Among those that are gone or on the way gone I count Lazlong, rougher63, The Nighthawk/Henri, Eon, Open Book, Volentin and Real Life Dragon. I will continue to dream of what might have happened to “Kelly”, “Cammie”, “Bobby/Rob Jenkins” and all the folks from “Wagons Ho” and “Washed Up”.
Among those that have ceased posting are Asa Strong, Rare Dream, Oz Ozzie, Robin Pentecost, DotB, bytemangler, Al Steiner and most recently Ryan Sylander and Frank Downey.
There is a chance that Al Steiner, Frank Downey and Asa Strong will return somewhere down the road. Frank and Al once their real life career transitions are complete and Asa once the conflicts in his life are resolved. DotB and bytemangler are not gone but have had real life situations that have brought their work temporarily to a halt.
Brief pause for personal observations:
I will most miss finding out what happens to the folks from “Opus One”. Having been a student of music (but not at their level) that story hit very close to home.
I also found much familiar in Al Steiner’s “Intemperance” stories as in the early 70’s I myself toured with musicians and saw first hand what the “Music Business” both corporate and otherwise can do to the people involved. Wes Boyd also touches on this in his stories.
What Al Steiner writes in “Intemperance” and Wes Boyd in his Spearfish Lake series, is far closer to the norm than anyone in the industry wants to acknowledge. For example, I first met “C” in late 1971 or early 1972 at a folk music club in X. “C” and “Major Record Label” were in the final stages of the pre-contract dance, which “C” shortly thereafter signed. Oh the stories he could tell when he returned from his first tour. “C” used to say that if the Feds really wanted to make a drug bust they should just grab a “Major Label” A&R man or “Road Manager”. “C” said that about a week into the tour of one-night stands (via bus) you get to the point where you just don’t have the energy to crawl out of the bunk (I can vouch for that). That’s when it starts. The “Road Manager” reaches into his case and hands you some pills. He usually says they are vitamins to help you along. What you really get are “uppers”. Later he gives you some “downers” so you can sleep on the bus. By the time you get back you are hooked. A group of us took turns staying up with “C” until he got back on track and could get by without the pills.
Now back to the rant:
I remain thankful that among the writers still producing we can find Jim War, Sea-Life, Lazlo Zalezac, Berwick Bob, The Old Fart/Pete, Paul Phenomenon, Morgan, Gina Marie Wylie, Pedant, Wes Boyd and Fillmore/Jim Reader.
Jim Reader, however, is in a precarious position as he for years has been a “House Husband” and now his wife Dorris (she is a programmer) is again out of work and they are accelerating down a slippery slope.
I feel the need to make special mention of Celtic Cowboy an author who has my highest admiration. He who has continued to try and work while dealing with medical issues (late stage RSDS) that would probably cause most of us to just give up and quit. In spite of it all he has recently posted new chapters in two of his ongoing serials.
I mention all of this to give background to this question I want everyone to ponder. “What can we as readers and fans do to better support these creative folks who bring such joy and enjoyment into our lives?”
I look forward to all comments and input. I also know that there are many whose names I did not mention. I am positive I left out authors I will kick myself over later. Please feel free to add names to the categories above.
Kirby Lambert
October 25, 2009
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